Noted Journalist Rashid Shahid Passes Away

SRINAGAR –  Renowned journalist and former Joint Director Department of Information, Abdur Rashid Shahid, breathed his last in the wee hours of Saturday at SKIMS where he was under treatment for the last few days.  He was the Executive Editor of Kashmir Observer.

 Rashid Shahid’s death has been widely condoled. Media fraternity termed his demise as a great loss to journalism in the state.

 A condolence meeting was held at the Directorate of Information which was presided over by Director Information Zaffar Ahmad.

 “Shahid would be remembered for his professional acumen and dedication besides the strong imprints he laid in the departmental hierarchy,” said Zafar in his condolence address said. The participants prayed for eternal solace to the departed soul.

Born at Khanpora, Baramulla, Shahid was known and widely respected for his professional competence. He had done his diploma in journalism with the prestigious Hindustan Times, New Delhi where he was awarded a gold medal. This made him the first journalism passout from the State.

 After his diploma, he started writing for many famed newspapers of that time like Statesman, The Times of India etc. Later, he joined the Department of Information where he rose to the position of Joint Director. During his tenure, he was posted as District Information Officer, Assistant Director and Deputy Director where he made significant contributions.

 After retirement, Shahid started working with reputed media houses of J&K and outside. He was also associated with a voluntary group Help Foundation for a long time. 

 Condolence messages kept pouring in from journalists and people from various walks of life.

“He was a true professional and a highly competent journalist,” said Kashmir Observer editor, Sajjad Hyder, adding that his role in the growth of KO  was enormous.

Hindustan Times Asstt. Editor and former colleague, Hilal Mir, said Shahid was one of the best copy-editors Kashmir had produced.

“Abdur Rashid Shahid was one of the finest copy editors Kashmir produced, the man who even in his late sixties, working till 2am in the energy-packed news room, made fledgling journalists feel like old men. Hewas a good teacher and a hard task master. May Allah bless his soul,” said Hilal.

Senior journalist, Yusuf Jameel, said in his facebook message, “Ah! Abdur Rashid Wani (Rashid Shahid.) May Allah (SWT) bestow him with nicest place in Jannah.”

“We owe a lot to him because he was an affectionate teacher,” director, Educational Multimedia Research Centre, University of Kashmir, Dr. Shahid Rasool said.

“He was a thorough professional, who contributed massively wherever he worked,” said a former colleague.

“I have worked with him for a long time, I learned a lot from him. Whenever the copy would go to him for subbing, you as a reporter would never regret, because he knew the trade well,” said Mail Today correspondent, Naseer Ganai.

 “We are all saddened. He contributed a lot to the field of journalism as a perfectionist. He was a source of inspiration for many aspiring journalists and media professionals,” said Nasir Mirza, senior MERC faculty.

“So far as MERC is concerned, he helped us build the base of the department when there was no one around in the late eighties. The sessions we had with him were always thought provoking and illuminating,” he said, “ Kashmir has lost a true guardian of honest journalism.”    

A condolence meeting was held at Kashmir Observer office and the staffers prayed for the departed soul. 

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